“Thank you for the gift.” When she set it down on the desk, he picked it up and meticulously unwrapped it–picked it at it’s seams, carefully folding the wrapping paper, placing it neatly on his desk. Matthew was nothing short of a Type A personality. A laugh erupted from his chest at the sight of the vitamin pens as he took them out gingerly, placing them in the breast pocket of his white coat so that their small drawn on eyes peeked over. “These are perfect for peds. The kids will get a hoot out of them.” He arched his brow as he watched her with curious eyes, his gaze following her leg that pulled at his desk chair. Another good natured laugh came from the doctor as he stood up, obeying her orders and taking the seat he was previously in.
“I’m glad to hear you’ve been well. If you see me, that means something’s wrong.” He flashed a teasing grin up at her, spinning his chair so that it faced her direction. She looked healthy–he remembered the first time he had met her, when she was injured from a date with one of her clients. He remembered helping her get cleaned up, tending to her wounds, and even brushing out the tangles in her hair. Adults, especially adults who consume alcohol, were just bigger versions of kids. There was something so guarded about her that no doubt raised his concern–it gave him this overwhelming feeling of protection of her. That he had to watch out for her, even when she is perfectly capable of holding her own. There was just something about her. His eyes traced over her slender features, the way she held herself up with confidence. His brow furrowed slightly before straightening out.
Healthy, definitely. Happy? He wasn’t sure on that.
“How will you be of use to me?” he repeated her question before letting out another laugh. “My dear, I have no use for you. And I definitely don’t mean that in a bad way! I just meant it in a way like… you’re not someone I want to use.” He seemed to have gotten himself in a bit of a word pickle here as his brows furrowed deeper, his facial expression turning confused. “Sure, friends do things like that but…” He leaned forward, taking one of her hands in his and patting it with sincerity. “You don’t have to be on the job with me. Relax, Mon. Yes, we are friends, and I very much appreciate you being there for me. How about I take you out for some coffee?” With his free hand, he flipped his wrist to take a glance at his watch. “It’s about time for my daily intake of caffeine anyway.” He let go of her hand and stood up, stretching his long limbs with a yawn before sliding his doctor’s coat off of his shoulders. “I need some fresh air too. I did a double shift yesterday so my old bones are getting creaky.” He chuckled at his own lame joke before stepping around his desk to reach for his winter coat and keys. “There’s a cute little cafe down the street from here. I’ll buy you some cupcakes–you look like you need some sugar in your life.” Half of a grin popped on his face as he extended his arm out to her. “After you, miss.”
✌｡ 」 ━━ “A hoot? Ah, and no need to thank me. It’s nothing, really.”
Monique couldn’t help but chuckle at the older man’s diction, his words always calming but in such a pg-13 manner that she found it laughable. It was likely due to his profession that he kept his tongue dulled with patience to the point of fearing cursing in the slightest at most any given moment. Even so, he was in the presence of an adult and he still spoke as if to a child ... most likely due to seeing her as another patient, given the fact that their friendship oft had her asking the doctor medical questions that worried or simply intrigued her. Dismissing his wording, she remembered her manners and drew her chuckling to a steady silence as she focused down on his gaze as he sat down and spoke to her. ‘On the job?’ Not quite.
“If I considered myself to still be on the job, I would not be able to guarantee my genuine interest as I am now. I really just want to know what’s up, doc’. Is that so wrong?” Faux emotional bruising played on her intact lips that curved into a shallow frown. Not even a moment’s time could swim in the depths of her forced expression, however, before it unfurled into a casual and faint smile whilst she pocketed her hands and rocked back onto her heels with a long whistle upon the request so carefully placed before herself. “Me and you, going out for coffee? Sounds like an innocent time unless ‘going out for coffee’ is code for something more sinister. I trust such isn’t the case, seeing how you seem to be the kind to mend people as opposed to take advantage of them, Matt’.”
She was playful regarding her mannerism and words as she eyed the extended arm of the doctor, assuming she was to furl one arm over his own though she interlaced the fingers on her right hand and the hand of his extended arm instead. With a gentle tug on the man’s palm, she began to escort the doctor out of his own office with a suddenly overwhelming sense of eagerness. It had been a good amount of time since she had polite company and it was a true test of patience to find anyone who could outdo the doctor himself when it came to such a task. As she had given him a small present, he was giving her the present of his presence and she expressed her gratitude through the faint tug she gave to his arm before pointing down to the exit of his work station.
“I do believe you wish to lead, right? First of all, I don’t think I know the place; second of all, I fear I may get bored of looking for the place for any reason and end up taking you somewhere less friendly for you, doc’ -- my place included.” Jesting. Always jesting. The fact that she was joking showed in the soft chuckle that tumbled from her lips as she awaited to nearly tumble over her own feet upon being led forward by her chosen company of the afternoon.
